Sochi and the Winter Olympics

[Miguel]

(Reuters) - Western criticism of Russia's Winter Olympics was reminiscent of Cold War ambitions to hold the Soviet Union back, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday, despite signs that the world was warming to the most expensive Games ever held.

...Putin wants to use Russia's first Winter Games, which cost $51 billion to stage, to project the country as a resurgent nation that belongs among the world's elite powers.

He has defended the scale of the project, saying it helped shield Russia from the worst of the financial crisis.

Not all Russians are convinced, however. A recent survey by independent pollster Levada showed 47 percent of them believe the cost of the Games has soared because funds have been embezzled or mismanaged.

Norway, bidding to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, said in Sochi on Monday it would limit its budget to around $5 billion.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/1...T820140210